Originally Posted by
nbo10
When you all started climbing hills did you start with short little rides? The 0.3 mile hill on my commute already kicks my butt; I can't imagine riding anything longer.
I went on longer ones, and just went as far as I could go then I stopped, then I kept going again. Just tell yourself if it's not hard it's not worth doing. It's never really easy, but that's kind of the point.
After a couple months it wasn't as hard and I could worry more about technique and pacing myself for the particular hill/etc..
Of course I am a fairly thin guy so I find I usually have an easier time than someone heavier than me, so my advice might not be too helpful, but I usually drop the two guys I usually ride with on the hills without really trying now. On the flats/slight downhill.. I have to work to keep up with them.